June 2014 Gear

The Latest Great Stuff For Your Driving Life

AEM has added to its state-of-the-art but affordable ECU range, introducing the Infinity-6 for six-cylinder and Infinity-8h for V8 racing engines using high-impedance injectors. Both include the advanced features of the bigger -8/10/12 iteration, including the latest generation 200MHz processor. The ECU works on airflow-based (VE) tuning to eliminate the need to look up the many correction tables that previous generation ECUs required. It's also compatible with flex fuel and multi-fuel, has on-board wideband control, map switching and knock control. Engine protection strategies include coolant temp, oil temp, AFR vs MAP, intake air temp, knock or fuel pressure. What's more, it has control circuits for factory drive-by-wire, variable cam timing, boost and traction control systems included.

AWE Tuning has released a version of its stage 2 Performance Pulley Kit for the 2013/14 B8.5 Audi S4 and S5 3.0T equipped with the six-speed manual transmission. In its own testing, AWE has seen 473hp on 104-octane with the pulley and additional tuning, where the S Tronic could only achieve 458hp with the same parts. The kit was developed by AWE and GIAC, track tested at New Jersey Motorsports Park and is now available in black electrocoat for a factory appearance.

Now available for the R56, R57, R58 and R59 Mini Cooper platforms, the P3 Cars Integrated Digital Interface allows Mini owners to interact with their vehicles in a whole new way. The digital display truly harmonizes with the Mini's interior, fitting neatly into the cockpit to have a factory appearance. It can monitor boost and vacuum for forced induction models as well as coolant temp, oil temp, voltage and has peak recall on all functions. There are also three additional analog inputs. Made in the USA, it includes color-matched LED illumination.

Koyorad has introduced a direct replacement all-aluminum performance radiator for 1988-99 six-cylinder E30 and E36 BMW 3 Series models with manual transmissions. The application features Koyorad's 48mm "HH Series" radiator core, which was developed to increase coolant volume and promote better airflow as well as coolant circulation. Koyorad has engineered the part with precision, directly replacing the stock OEM plastic/aluminum radiator, bolting easily into the factory fan shroud for a quick and simple installation. Koyorad has also integrated a 1/8 PT female accessory fitting (supplied with a threaded plug) to accept temperature sensors typically included with most aftermarket temperature gauges.

Dinan's new performance springs were designed for the latest F30 BMW 335i and 328i. They're said to offer a lower stance, reduced body roll and sharper handling. They will also provide an aggressive look and increased driver control. The springs lower the F30 by 20mm front and rear, preserving suspension geometry and lowering the car's center of gravity for enhanced handling without sacrificing the ride quality. The 30% increase in spring rate will reduce the rear suspension compression under acceleration and front suspension compression under braking, giving the driver more control.

Goodyear has released its new premium line of ultra-high performance all-season tires. The Ultra Grip 8 Performance features a tread design with multiple biting edges to enhance traction on wet surfaces as well as in ice and snow. The top-tier tires boast consistent grip in low temps thanks to an optimized polymer blend and silica tread compound to maintain flexibility in the cold. The tires were developed in Europe, where high-performance winter tire use is often mandated by law, and the UG8P is now available in North America in a range of sizes for high-performance European vehicles.

aFe Power has introduced performance filters for current Mercedes-Benz models with the 4.6, 4.7 and 5.5L V8 engine including the E63, E500, E550, GL450, SL550, etc. Constructed with 100% polyurethane casings, the high-flow, oiled filters are a direct replacement for the OE elements but will reportedly outflow them by up to 29%. This results in improved horsepower and torque. aFe employs a rounded pleat design, which provides more surface area for increased flow and greater dust retention. The pliable sealing surface conforms to the filter housing and eliminates the need for gaskets or sealants. aFe replacement filters have a limited lifetime warranty.

Available for all passenger cars, the EZ Oil Drain Valve replaces the standard drain plug on all oil pans for clean and trouble-free oil changes. Simply replace the oil drain plug with the EZ valve, and no special tools are required. Once fitted, just move the lever a quarter turn and drain, then return to the original locked position to close. The valve also features a removable hose-end option, with a choice of connectors to drain oil away. There's even an L-shaped hose-end, offering an adjustable 90? elbow to prevent hose kinks. Hose ends may be removed after oil changes where clearance is an issue.

The new Odyssey Performance Series 65-760 battery features 762 cold-cranking amps, 129 reserve capacity minutes, and deep-cycle capability up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. It's specifically built for consumer applications and engineered with Thin Plate Pure Lead technology to provide rugged construction, reliability and its deep-cycling capability. In short, it should deliver more power and longer service life than the competition. Boasting a three- to 10-year life and two-year storage life at 77?F, the 65-760 is vibration-resistant, classified as "non-spillable" by the DoT and includes a limited four-year replacement warranty.

aFe has a hand-crafted, carbon fiber engine cover for the 2012-14 F10 BMW M5. It's constructed from 2x2 twill weave carbon fiber and finished in a high-gloss clearcoat, while the underside has a smooth finish to avoid scratches. The stock "M" emblem and rubber grommets are easily removed from the factory cover in order to be installed on the aFe carbon cover, providing factory appearance and fitting.

Maintaining the appearance of plastic trim is made simple by the Mothers Back-to-Black Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner Kit. The drip-free gel formula is said to provide unmatched penetration in order to deep clean any vehicle's trim. Unsightly oxidation, dirt, road grime and even stubborn embedded wax are no match for this heavy-duty cleaner, which promises to renew your exterior trim and textured plastics of any color to their original appearance. The kit includes a 12oz bottle of Trim Cleaner and a Deep Cleansing Trim Brush.

The Mothers NuLens Headlight Renewal Kit was developed to reduce the amount of time it takes to safely restore, maintain and protect plastic headlight covers. This kit allows simple removal of yellowing or stains, and is a good solution for scratches. The NuLens kit includes everything you need, and even works on other types of transparent plastic surfaces. The kit comprises a 3" soft-flex backing plate, quick-change PowerBall 4Lights Polishing Tool, restoration discs and an 8oz PowerPlastic 4Lights polish to restore clarity. Using the polish regularly leaves a tough, protective and oxidation-inhibiting polymer layer to guard against future degradation.

Eagle One has released Wax-As-U-Dry. It's a spray wax with a patented formula that will mix with water so it can be used on wet or dry surfaces. Simply spray on your wet ride and wipe dry for long-lasting protection and shine. It apparently requires no buffing and won't haze, streak or leave residue. Featuring carnauba wax, Wax-As-U-Dry provides a protective barrier on your car's paint that will last for months. Anti-corrosion additives protect the paint from acid rain, salt and rust.

Coming in a 2oz spray can and having a "new car smell", Meguiar's went to great pains to differentiate this product from regular air fresheners. This isn't something you hang from the mirror; it's an odor removal system. They advise it's best used when the interior is clean and dry. Place the can on the floor in the center of the car, set the car's ventilation to max cold, activate the locking trigger and leave it to empty. The odor will then penetrate the entire car and is said to remove the unwanted odor permanently.

Bavsound has announced a plug-n-play Stage One speaker upgrade for the F30 BMW 3 Series. The speakers are claimed to produce a higher quality sound with a wider range of the bass and treble, thanks to coated natural-fiber drivers and silk tweeters that remain distortion-free at higher volume to provide accurate sound reproduction. The Stage One kit features pre-installed plug-n-play connectors, factory-matched impedances and custom-molded baskets. By utilizing all the factory fittings, this easy-to-use speaker system is a perfect solution for the lifetime of the vehicle, or can be easily converted back to stock for leased vehicles.

iUi Design has created an interesting Bluetooth speaker for Mini enthusiasts. It looks identical to the Mini's distinctive oval door mirrors and even comes in a number of classic finishes including the Union Jack and checkered flags. On the front it has a mirror as well as a speaker grille with the Mini emblem. Designed for ease of use, it has NFC- and Bluetooth-compatibility to quickly pair your device. You can then stream music to the 8w speaker that gives clear, accurate sound reproduction, that surpasses its small size. There's an engine sound when the BoomBox is turned on and a voice bids goodbye when turned off. It also tells you when your device is connected, so there's no confusion. Volume is controlled by touch sensors, with lights behind the mirror to confirm operation. The unit has a microphone so it can also be used to take phone calls. It has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of up to eight hours of playback and they'll even ship it free. For the price, we liked the look, functionality and sound quality.

Weighing less than 1oz, the Kenu Ariframe portable smartphone mount attaches easily to any air vent. Its low-profile design keeps the phone at eye level and has a rotating clip for horizontal and vertical positioning. The clip also doubles as a travel stand for watching movies, playing games or chatting when out of the car. The over-molded grips keep your phone free from scratches, and the expandable jaw holds most smartphones securely in place.

Kinivo has a simple hands-free solution for answering calls and enjoying music while on the road. The BTC450 will connect to any smartphone, tablet or Bluetooth device and stream to your car's stereo system via its 3.5mm audio jack. This provides the ability for users to receive calls and operate their device's voice-command functionality through the built-in microphone. The Kinivo BTC450 allows users to select audio with control over tracks, including play, pause, previous song and next song functions. Installation is simple because the BTC450 connects into the vehicle's stereo system via the 3.5mm audio connector.

id America is offering a car charger to suit the interior of your European vehicle. Combining style and function, the LX dual USB was designed with genuine leather trim, which delivers a modern, polished appearance to complement any interior. The 2.1A output will charge high-powered devices, while the built-in fuse will protect against possible power surges. It can also power two iPods, iPhones, MP3, GPS or other gadgets and has an LED power indicator.

The Kinivo BTM440 Bluetooth headset combines advanced noise cancellation technology with lightweight wraparound design for convenient hands-free calling. It allows users to control calls wirelessly from any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone for hands-free operation. The Mono headset's built-in microphone is said to provide crystal-clear phone calls while driving. The lightweight earpiece was designed for extended wear, allowing users to remain comfortably connected for long periods of time. The easy-to-use operation offers full control over functions like voice dialing, adjusting volume, answering calls and more. There's a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts more than four hours of active talk time, or 150 hours in standby mode. It connects to the included micro-USB cable to recharge.

Audio specialist Rockford Fosgate has announced its new RFBTAUX Universal Bluetooth Plug & Play Mobile Adapter. It will give users an easy way to stream media content from a smartphone, tablet or laptop to a 3.5mm AUX input jack. The content could include your music library or just about any app such as Pandora or Rhapsody. The RFBTAUX easily pairs with Bluetooth devices - the Auto Connect provides an audible chime when connected - and will stream the audio to any source with an AUX input. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (USB cable not included).

The introduction of the Morgan 3 Wheeler in 2011 brought the subject of tripod travel back into the public's imagination. But if you imagine this is a passing phase, you'd be wrong. Elvis Payne's comprehensive 272pg book catalogs more than 450 manufacturers and 1000 models that date back to the steam-powered vehicle developed by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot in 1769. As the first form of powered transport, three-wheelers have always been with us, and this book from Crecy Publishing (available from CarTech) leaves you in no doubt. A lot of the photography is full color with some older B&W images and even illustrations where photos don't exist. The book is from left field but includes everything from trucks to track cars, utility transport, speed record breakers and concepts like VW's 2006 GX3.

This minature speaker packs a surprisingly big punch. At 2" tall it's the smallest of several Scosche "can" speakers that will easily fit in your pocket or bag. The lithium-ion battery is charged by USB for two hours of play. The 35mm speaker provides a decent sound that inevitably lacks bass but didn't distort, even at its loudest volume setting - one button turns it on and selects one of two volume levels. You then adjust from your device. Bluetooth connection is simple and it chimes to confirm, or there's an aux jack input. Available in four colors, there's also an optional cycle mount. The boomCAN is compact but delivers crisp sound.